Digging or dredging bucket.



4PAT-shrimp AUG. 23, 1904.

s. FERGUSON.

D IGGING on DREDGING BUCKET.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 28`| 1903.

L T E E H s T B B H s 3 No MODEL..

PATBNTD AUG. 23, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEBT 2.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 28. 1903.

N0 MODEL,

wifnww.

.PATBNTUU AUG. 23, 1904,

" f". w. s. FERGUSON. UIGGING 0R DRUDGING BUCKET.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 28. 1903.

N0 MODEL.

Uv ON UNITED. STATES Patented August 28, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

DIGGINGV'OR DhEDelNc-r. BUCKET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters' Patent No. 763,118, dated August23, 1904. Application filed .Tuly 26J 1903. *Serial No. 167,298. (Nomodel.)

To (LZZ whom/ it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM S. FERGUSON. a resident of Wilkinsburg, inthe county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a newand useful Improvement in Digging or Dredging Buckets; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and

exact description thereof.

My invention relates to buckets for use ing, and likepurposes. i rlheobject of my invention is to provide a bucket for these purposes whichwill open quickly, so as to discharge theload in a nar,-

row space or area, which is then capableof being opened very wide, so asto scrape over a large area, and thus obviatethe necessity-of diggingdeeply in order to fill the bucket, which is so constructed that inlclosing the scoops 'or blades will approach eachotheron'a comparativelystraight line, so as to diminish the amount of power necessary to closethe The invention also consists incertain details .f

of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

vIn the accompanying drawings, Figure 1v is a side view showing thebucket open and showing in dotted lines the path of movement in openingand closing. Showing the bucket closed. Fig. 3 is an end view of thebucket. Fig. 1 is a plan View thereof. Fig. 5 is a detail horizontalsection on the line 5 5, Fig. 3,showing the guide for the toggle-links;and Fig. 6 is a detail view showing the means for connecting thescoopsuspending links to the frame.

My bucket comprises a suitable suspendingframe in which the operatingmechanism is mounted and from which the scoops are suspended. rlhisframe comprises two side plates 1 and suitable cross-connecting means,such as the top bar or casting 2, and other cross-connecting means,which also serve as ropeguards, these being shown at 1, 5, and 6. The

Fig. 2 is a side view lcross-Shafts also serve to Some extent to unitethe two frames. The scoops or blades are shown at 7 and 8, and these maybe of the usual or any desired construction. Preferably, however, theirbottom portions are compara- .tivelystraight for some distance from thescraping edge, as shown. These scoops are Y 1 .suspended from the sideframes by means of 1n digging ore, coal, and other substances,dredg-vlinks 9, which are attached near the outer ends of the scoops, as shown,and also to the outer projecting portions of the side plates 1. Thelatter are made sufliciently wide, so that they projectslightly beyondthe outer ends of the scoops when closed, vas shown in Fig. 2, thusguarding and protecting said scoops when the bucket is being raised upthrough a shaft or hatch. The side plates 1 are rounded at their uppersides', so as to guide the bucket and prcvcntitfrom getting hung whencoming through a hatch or mine-shaft. 1

lIn the side plates 1 is mounted a power-wheel .shaft 12, having securedthereto or mounted thereon twopower-wheels 13 and 14., around each ofwhich is wound a rope or cable. On. the power-wheel 13 is wound theholding-,cable 15, from which the bucket is suspended when it is desiredto open the same. Around the power-wheel 14 is wound the hoisting-cablei .16 w-hich is tightened when it is-desired to close the bucket and bymeans of which the bucketis carried when loaded or closed. These twocables are each attached to a windingdrum on a crane, derrick, -or thelike in the well-understood manner. The cables are guided at the top ofthe frame by'vmeans of suitable guide-sheaves'lS,` mounted; on Shafts19, extending between the; side frames or suspended from the'top bar OrCasting 2. Also secured to the shaft 12, or at least to the power-wheels13 and 111, are a pair of drums 2O and 21, one such drum being on eachside of the bucket. On these drums are wound the closing-cables 22 and23, two pair of these cables being employed, as shown, one on each sideof the bucket. The cables 22 1pass from their drums around sheaves 24 onthe scoop 7 and have their ends connected to the scoop 8, as at 25. Thecables 23 pass from their drums around sheaves 26, mounted on the Scoop8, and have their ends connected to the scoop IOO 'T at 27. 'lhe cables22 and 23 ai'e wound ai'oiiiid their drums in the same direction. whilethe cables 15 and 16 are-wound around the power-wheels 13 and 14inopposite dii'ections. Consequently when the cable 16,whieh is theclosing-cable, is pulled upon the powei'- wheels and di'iiins ai'erotated in a direction to wind the cables 22 and 23 upon their di'uins,and this throug'li the ai'i'angement shown causes the scoops to be drawntoward each other and closed. The power-wheel 14 is of a much largerdiameter than the drums 2O and 21. so that the power exerted on theclosing'- cable 16 is multiplied a number of times, equal to the i'atioof the diameters of the closing'- drums to the power-wheel 14.Furthermore, the cables 22 and 23, passing as they do ai'ound a sheaveon one scoop and having their ends attached to the other scoop, arepi'actically double,so that the power of the winding-drums is againpractically doubled by this arrangement of the closing-cables. In thismanner a double multiplication of the power is secui'ed, i

the first multiplication being due to the difference in the diameters ofthe closing powerwheel 14 and the winding-drums 2O and 21 and the secondmultiplication being' due to the doubling of the closing-cables 22 and23. Also secured to the shaft 12 or to the power-wlieels i 13 and 14 isa smaller drum or spindle 30. Wound on this in a direction opposite tothat in which the cables 22 and 23 ai'e wound on their drums are aV pairof opening' cables or chains 31,Whieh pass outwardly around guidesheaves32, mounted on shafts 34, extending' between the side frames and having'their outei' ends secured to the scoops T and 8 at the rear outer endsof the latter. Preferably these members 31 will be flat link chains, asshown, foi'iiiing', in effect, a iexible metallic belt. When the drums2O and 21 ai'e being rotated in such a direction as to wind theclosing-cables 22 and 23 thereupon, the opening'- cliains 31 are being'slackened oi' paid out,thus permitting' the closing' of the buckets; butwhen the closing-cable 16 is slackened a sti'ain is put upon theholding-cable 15, the powerwheels 13 and 14 and drums connected theretoare rotated in the opposite direction, thus causing the unwindingl ofthe closing-cables 22 and 23 and the winding up of the openingchains 31,the latter sei'vingto pull the scoops ont to the dotted-line position 35shown in Fig. 1.

By reason of the suspension of the scoops onlinks connected to them neartheir oiitei' ends they can be di'awn very wide open, as i shown in Fig.1, thus giving' a very wide l i'each to the bucket, so that it vwill nothave to dig' deep in order to till the sa'nie. Furthermore, by reason ofthe difference of dii aiiietei' between the winding-di'ums 2() and 21and the spindle 30 the closing-cables 22 and 23 will be wound up in theclosing of the bucket much more rapidly than the opeiiing'- l chains 31are uiiwouiid. llui'thei'more, when l the scoops ai'e opened the sheaves24 and 26 ai'e almost opposite cach other, and consequently theclosing-cables will pull practically straight across the device. As ai'esiilt of these arrangements the first cii'ect of the closing movementis to cause the frontend of the scoops to swing' inwardly very rapidly,the blade of the bucket making' the sharp curve indicated at 36, so thatthereafter in the further inward movement of the scoops they will moveon a comparatively straight line. so that their digging or scraping'action is very ninch easiei' than if they moved in the arc of a circle.

\Vhen the scoops ai'e fully closed, the closing-cables 21 and 22 arepractically doubled around the sheaves 24 and 26, respectively, and as aconsequence in opening' the bucket as soon as the hoisting-rope 16 isslackeiied the meeting edges of the scoops will swing' l down quickly tothe dotted-line positions inl dicated at 37, this being` due to the factthat a slight slackness in the i'opcs and 23 by reason of their leads ofdoubled condition enables them to materially straighten out, while theopening-cliaiiis 31 dui'ing the irst pai't of their action pull in asubstantially straight line upwardly. This causes a quick tilting' ofthe scoops without opening them very wide, thus permitting the materialto bedischargcd fi'oiii the same and in a comparatively small area.

In oi'der to guide the scoops 7 and 3 and bring their meeting' edgesinto contact with each otliei', l connect to each scoop on each side ofthe bucket a toggle-lilik 33, these links being preferably connected tothe scoops at the points 25 and 27 before meiitioned. 'l`he upper endsof these toggle-links are connected to sliding heads 39, which move invertical ways or g'iiides 4t), formed on the side plates 1. The use ofthese toggle-links insures the two scoops moving' towai'd each other inexi act unison, so that they meet at the central i line of the bucketand in the same horizontal plane when the bucket is closed, thuspreventl ing the spilling' of material out between the scoops. The heads3S) ai'e preferably free to i move up and down in the guides, so thatthe links in no mannei' interfere with the opening' and closingmovements of the bucket.

i The links 9 ai'e connected to the plates 1 by l means of bolts 4l,each having' an enlarged head on one end and provided with an enilai'ged bearing' portion 42 fitting' in the open- 1 ing' in the plates 1and having' another bearing' portion 43 for the links il and being'provided outside of said links with a nut 44. This same constructionpreferably is employed in connecting the links to the scoops and mayalso be employed for connecting the tog'g'lelinks 38 to the scoops.

The opei'atioii of my bucket is substantially l the saine as that ofbuckets now in use. The

i hoisting and holding' cables 16 and 15, as be- TOO llO

fore stated, are connected to suitable drums may be carried and loweredin closed condi-A tion by suspending yit by the hoisting-cable 16 andcan then be opened by slacking said cable and holding onto thecable 15.Byreason of the connection of the scoops 7 and 8 tothe frame by means ofthe links 9 said scoops can be drawn very wide open, thus giving anextensive reach to the bucket. The open bucket is lowered downupon thepile or bed of ore 'or other material and then the holding-'cable 15 isslackened andthe closing or hoisting cable 16'is tightened. rlhis throwsthe entire weight of the bucket on this one cable, causing a rol tationof the power-wheels and drums in such a direction as to wind theclosingcables 22 and 23 onto their respective drums and unwind theopening-chains 31 from their spindle. By reason of the greater diameterof the drums over the spindle the closing-cables will be drawn up muchmore quickly than the opening-chains will be paid out, and as aconsequence the lfirst effect is to cause the scoops to swing sharplyinward and to then continue their closing movement ina comparativelystraight line. movement the upper ends of the toggleslinks 38 move upvery quickly in the guides 40, and thereafter they move up more slowly.

The entire closing movement-of the bucket is gotten lby merelycontinuing to wind up the hoisting-cable 16, this serving, by means ofthe connections described, to drawl the scoops together until theirmeeting edges come into contact. During this movement they are guidedaccurately by the toggle-links 38, and inasmuch as they move on acomparatively straight line avery powerful action is secured`Furthermore, the double multiplication of ed drums Ato rotate in theopposite direction from that in which they rotated in closing thebucket. VThe effect of this isl to quickly slackenthe closing-cables 22and 23 and to begin winding up the opening-chains 31. As soon as the gcables 22 and 23 are slightly slackened by reason of their peculiarconnection with the scoops During the first partof this g l This causesVthe'poWer-Wheels Iv13) and-14 and their connect-A and-the fact that thelatter are suspended near l their outer ends the meeting ends of thesescoops dropdown very sharply, thus discharging the. load in acomparatively small area. The further rotation of the power-wheels inthe direction specified causes the winding up of the opening-chains31,-' thus drawing the scoops fully outward to the extreme position Vshown in Fig. 1.

. The .bucket described is comparatively simple, secures a very wideopening' of the bucket. and an extremely powerful closing thereof.Y Thearrangement is such that the discharge of the .load is accomplished veryquickly and in v l a small space, and the4 closing movement ,thereof ison a comparatively straight line,

thus greatly aiding the digging action-thereof. The scoops, furthermore,are so guided that they move inwardly in unison and meet accurately,thus preventing the spilling of material between the same.

All the movable or working parts of'the device are well housed in theframe,.and the scoops when closed are also guarded orpro'- tected lbythe projecting. frame, sothat the bucket is admirably adapted for use inshafts or hatches.'` f v Vhat-I claim is- 1. In a digging --bucket, thecombination with a suspending-frame, of a pair of scoops hinged at theirouter ends to said frame, a power-drum mounted in saidfframe, a'pair ofclosing-cables wound on said drum and one connected directly to each ofsaid scoops, and toggle-links connected lto said scoops and having theirknuckles guided in vertical Ways on saidframe.

2. 4In a, diggingbucket, the combination with a suspending-frame, of apair of scoops hinged. at'their outer ends to said frame, a power-drummounted in said frame, a pair 'of `closing-cables wound on said drum andone connected directly to each `of said scoops, a vertical guideway onsaid frame, .a sliding head in said guideway, and links having one'oftheir. ends connected to .said sliding head and their opposite endsconnected toV said scoops.y

.3. In a digging-bucket, the'combination with a suspending-frame, of apair ofscoops, links-hinged to the outer ends off said scoops andto theframe, a power-drum mounted inY said frame, a pairl of cables eachpassingaround said 'drum and around a guide on the ICO IIOy

IZO

the other scoop, a pair of toggle-links having their free ends connectedto said scoops, and a vertical guideway on the frame for guiding theknuckle-joint of said toggles.

5. In a digging-bucket, the combination witha frame, of a power-drummounted therein,a spindle mounted to'rotate with said drum, scoopssuspended from said frame by means of links, closing-cables wound onsaid drum and connected to said scoops, and openingchains connected tothe rear ends of the scoops and passing over guide-sheaves located inthe frame over the rear ends of the scoops and wound on said spindle.

6. In a digging-bucket, the combination with a suspending-frame, of apower-drum mounted therein having portions of different diameters,scoops suspended from said frame by means of links, closing-cablesconnected to said scoops and Wound on the portion of the drum of largerdiameter, and openingchains Wound in the opposite direction on theportion of the drum of smaller diameter and connected to the outer endsof the scoops.

7. In a digging-bucket, the combination with the suspending-frame, of apower-drum mounted therein and havingv portions of different diameters,scoops suspended from the frames by means of links, closing-cables Woundon the portion of the drum of larger diameter, passing around sheaves onone scoop and having their ends connected to the other scoop, andopening-chains wound in the opposite direction on the portion of thedrum of smaller diameter and connected to the outer ends of said scoops.

8. In a digging-bucket, the combination With the frame, of bucketssuspended therefrom, a pair of power-Wheels mounted in said frame,hoisting' and holding' cables wound on said power-Wheels in oppositedirections, a winding-drum of smaller diameter than said power-wheelsand mounted to rotate there- With, and a pair of closing-cables wound onsaid winding-drum, each cable passing over a sheave on'one scoop andhaving its end attached to the other scoop.`

9. In a digging-bucket, the combination with a frame, of scoopssuspended therefrom, a cross-shaft mounted in said frame, power- Wheelson said shaft, a closing-drum also on said shaft and of smaller diameterthan said Wheels, hoisting and holding cables wound on the power-wheelsin opposite directions, and a pair of closing-cables wound on the drumand each passing over a guide on one side of the device and attached tothe scoop on the other side of the device, whereby a doublemultiplication of power is obtained.

10. In a digging-bucket, the combination with a suspending-frame, of apower-drum mounted therein and having' portions of different diameters,scoops suspended from the frame by means of links, closing-cablesconnected to the scoops and wound on the portion of the drum of largerdiameter, openingchains wound in the opposite direct-ion on the portionof the drum of smaller diamete and connected to the outer ends of thescoops, a pair of toggle-links having their free ends connected to saidscoops, and a vertical guide on the frame for the knuckle of said links.

l1. In a digging-bucket, the combination with a suspending-frame, of apower-drum mounted therein and having portions of diiferent diameters,scoops suspended from the frame by means of links, closing-cables woundon the portion of the drum of larger diameter and each passing over asheave on one scoop and having its ends attached to the opposite scoop,opening-chains wound in the opposite direction on the portion of thedrum of smaller diameter and passing over guide-wheels in the frame andconnected to the outer ends of the scoops, a guide-link connected toeach scoop, and a vertically-guided movable hloek to which the oppositeends of said links are connected.

12. In a digging-bucket, the combination with a frame, of scoopssuspended therefrom by means of links, a pair of power-wheels mounted insaid frame, hoisting and holding' cables wound on said wheels inopposite directions, winding-drums of smaller diameter than thepower-wheels mounted in said frame to rotate therewith, closing-cableswound on said drums and connected to said scoops, a spindle of stilllesser diameter mounted in the. frame to rotate with the power-wheels,and opening-chains connected to said spindle and to the outer ends ofsaid scoops.

13. In a digging-bucket, the comhimxtion with a frame, of scoopssuspended therefrom by means of links, a pair of power-wheels mounted insaid frame, hoistingl and holding cables wound on said wheels inopposite directions, drums of smaller diameter than said power-wheelsmounted in said frame to rotate therewith, a pair of closing 'cableswound on said drums and each passing overa sheave on one scoop andhaving its end attached to the opposite scoop, a guiding-link piroted toeach scoop, and a vertically-guided movable block to which the oppositeends of said links are connected.

In testimony whereof I, the said lViLmAM S. FERGUSON, have hereunto setmy hand.

IVILLIAM S. FERGUSON.

Witnesses:

G. H. RANKIN, RoBT. D. To'rTnN.

TOO

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